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Choosing the right words for your university personal statement is a critical strategy that can significantly increase your chances of acceptance. The most effective personal statements use persuasive, active language to showcase accomplishments, describe personal qualities, and create a compelling narrative, all while maintaining a professional and authentic tone. This guide, based on common assessment criteria from admissions departments, will detail the specific words to use and those to avoid to make your application stand out.
A persuasive personal statement is more than a list of achievements; it's a coherent narrative that argues your suitability for a specific course. The language you choose must serve multiple purposes: to demonstrate capability, convey character, and ensure readability. Admissions officers read hundreds of applications, so words that create a strong, positive impression while making the statement easy to digest are essential. Your vocabulary should be strategically selected to showcase your accomplishments, describe your personal traits, make a positive impression, and improve the overall flow of your writing.
When detailing your academic grades, projects, or extracurricular activities, using action verbs is crucial. These words immediately convey initiative and success, providing evidence of your skills. Instead of writing "I was part of a team that did a project," a more powerful alternative is, "I organised a team of three to create a presentation, supervised our progress, and resolved a workload conflict to deliver the project on time, achieving a grade of 90%."
Here are potent action verbs to integrate:
These words transform passive descriptions into active demonstrations of your capability, which is a key factor in the candidate screening process.
Admissions tutors are looking for candidates who will positively contribute to the university community. Use adjectives that describe your character in a genuine and compelling way. It’s important to support these claims with brief examples.
Consider using words like:
For instance: "I consider myself a proactive and determined individual. When tasked with a team pitch, I initiated the brainstorming sessions and ensured we considered all viewpoints, leading us to third place in the competition." This approach provides credible evidence for your self-description.
Certain adjectives can enhance the perception of your experiences and contributions. Weaving these words throughout your statement can leave the reader with a favourable overall impression.
Powerful impression words include:
Example: "My work experience provided a fascinating glimpse into event management. My role was to make the process straightforward for the client, which taught me the importance of being dependable." These words act as persuasive highlights, drawing attention to the value of your experiences.
A smooth-flowing statement is easier and more enjoyable to read, which in itself creates a positive impression. Use transitional words and phrases to connect ideas logically and avoid a choppy, list-like structure.
Effective transition words include:
Example: "Reading industry magazines broadened my knowledge. Furthermore, it gave me insight into professional roles, which therefore solidified my decision to apply for this course." Reading your statement aloud is a highly effective technique to identify and correct awkward phrasing.
Based on common feedback from admissions teams, avoiding certain pitfalls is just as important as using the right words. Key things to omit include:
To maximize your statement's impact, focus on using active verbs to demonstrate achievements, support character claims with concrete examples, and use transitional phrases for seamless readability. Ultimately, the most persuasive words are those that authentically and clearly articulate your unique suitability for the university course.
